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The filter was very easy to install. It took no time at all. It took longer to get the sand out of the filter I was replacing than it did to install the new X.stream. Reading other reviews most problems I saw people saying I knew could be fixed easily. First with people with hoses blowing off, a little roughing up of the hose fittings with some sand paper, and two hose clamps on each hose will take care of the problem. I have also seem people complain about no way to vacuum to waste, when you
... read more vacuum you just dump it all into the filter. To fix this problem, Hayward makes a diverter valve the replaces the union between the pump and the filter tank. You just turn the valve and it diverts the flow of water directly out of the pump into your backwash hose bypassing the filter tank. Another thing is opening up the tank to clean the filter. Hayward provides one ball valve, you need to get another one. With a valve on the pump inlet and a valve on the tank outlet, you can close both valves and isolate the filter so you can open it up and not loose water.
Do those few things and you will love this filter.

JanetPA

1 decade ago

Best Filter, Truely low maintence

I have owned my 18,000 gallon above ground pool for 14 years. Last summer, after years of battles, I got tired of fighting my DE filter over water clarity and water flow pressure. I cleaned my filter bi-weekly and always had problems. Tried reducing DE nothing worked. I bought the Hayward X-Stream in the spring and for the first time ever had a completly trouble free and easy pool maintence season. I did not have to clean the cartridge until pool closing. I cannot recommend this system enough.
... read more Definately a purchase you will not regret! And In the swims payment plan made the purchase easy on the wallet as well.

GirlWithWrench

8 years ago

This Baby Rocks!!!

I've had my pool 10 years and this is the third filter I have had. I've had it two years and I LOVE it. Obviously, I'm hard on filters with lots of kids, and a 24' round pool that is extra deep. Pool maintenance used to be a huge, time-consuming summer affair before I got this filter. I used to have to vacuum at least a couple times a week, clean the filter at least weekly, and watch my chemicals daily like a hawk or my pool would turn green seemingly overnight. This is my second year the
... read more Hayward Extreme and I still do next to nothing to my pool and it stays clear and beautiful all summer. The guy complaining about cloudy water clearly is missing something else in his pool care. No filter gets all that stuff out without a clarifier--I would know. had I known what a difference this filter would make in the amount of time I spend on my pool, I would have bought one long before I did. Highly recommend!! It does have a very strong outlet pressure though which pushes the automatic vacuum unless the eyeball is turned to just the right position, and which makes my fountain that attaches to the outlet shoot up so high I lose a lot of water when I use it. I also suspect using the fountain is hard on the pump since it restricts flow so much, so I don't really use it anymore. I'll gladly trade using the fountain for parties a couple times a year for free weekends all summer.

I liked that we could make four payments. They were very competitive in pricing.

Cmk1

2 years ago

Very happy with item, excellent results. Clean pool!!!

WJAS

8 years ago

Can't Go Back

After finally deciding my Hayward DE EC-40 filter purchased 20 years ago was done, I decided to purchase another. If I had never owned a Hayward filter I would have been satisified with the purchase. However, I was shocked at how cheaply made this product was as compared to the one purchased 20 years ago. First, there was no on/off switch. When I called In The Swim, Vicky said it doesn't have an off/on switch and you had to simply unplug it. When I asked if there was an ugrade she said "none of
... read more them have on/off switches". For $500 you would think they would include even a cheap switch.
I am also surprised that in 20 years they haven't come up with a better way to connect the pieces. I followed the instruction of putting pipe sealant and then tightening the piece. However, when I started the filter it leaked as usual.And now the pieces is sealed into palce and cannot be removed. Nothing major but it would be nice.
As I said, I am satisfied with the filter but it is true you can't go back.

I would recommend this to anyone. I have a 16 X 48 Intex above ground pool and the small cartridge filter they give you with the pool does nothing for keeping it clean. Since I have gotten this filter, my pool is always sparkling clean and chemical use is down by 50%. The cost of the cartridges for the old filter was about 15.00 a week so this is going to pay for itself in a matter of months. I would recommend this for anyone with a smaller above ground pool

KeiblersMom

10 years ago

Amazingly Wonderific

We ordered the 21" sand filter for our 27' x 52" Intex pool after trying for 3 weeks to get the water clear with that ridiculous cartridge filter after opening the pool this year. The filters are $10 a piece and we used 8 in that 3 weeks. We ordered the sand filter on Friday, it was here Saturday, we installed it on Monday and by Thurday, the pool was absolutely clear. Thank you In The Swim. You have a customer for life.

DaveH

4 years ago

Good product with terrible instructions

This is my second Hayward filter, luckily I had the spare filter and accessories to use as a reference, as the assembly instructions for the pump & filter were basically useless. There were a multitude of parts, with no clear way of identifying what went where. The filter system is a great product and I purchased the unit because of the quality for the money.

I recently bought this filter system as an upgrade to my existing filter. I read some positive and some negative reviews. This system is working great and I wonder if the negative reviews were a result of customers not following the directions in the owners manual. It's easy to ruin this pump by not operating it properly. Read the maual and follow the directions. You'll enjoy this quiet, efficient pump and filter system.

Rhonda

12 months ago

Would be nice to get parts replaced the size that came with my pump !!!! Sold with an 18” hose but can’t get a replacement one that length!!!!

I've owned DE filters in the past. Inherited a pool with a sand filter a few years ago. I changed the sand this summer but had continual algae and water clarity issues all year. Received this filter within 3 days after ordering. Easily hooked up. Water was post card clear within 24 hours. Great filter. One down side, the filter basket cover is a little difficult to open close because of the “jar cover” style. Other wise, like it very much.

S Csatlos

8 months ago

Best filter

We had a cartridge filter that could not get the green out from an algae problem we had after coming home from vacation. After two weeks, we still had the green, but all of the chemicals were perfect. One day after instlling this filter, the pool was back to normal. After an additional day, the pool was clearer than it has ever been. We love this filter.

MrSato

1 decade ago

No better system

I actually pieced this system together as my old equipment failed, but in the end it is the same. This system is very energy efficient and yet does an excellent job of keeping the water clean. I mean crystal clear! I have a 12x24x4 pool and the pump puts out enough flow to keep a nice current flowing around the pool - this is essential to turn over the pool water in the time the pump runs. We had a kids' pool party recently and with a dozen kids it the pool it kept up and kept the water clear
... read more the whole time. Incredible. Our friends have an in-ground that is a larger and with the same number of kids, after a couple of hours the water was pretty cloudy. They have a sand filter. There is no better filtration system.
As a side note, we also bought a Hayward natural gas pool heater from intheswim.com and that completes our perfect setup!

9000g indoor fiberglass pool. After a couple of weeks and one filter change my only regret is I didn't do it sooner. Instead of back flushing to waste - just change the filter. Get a spare filter and allow to dry out before cleaning. Or soak overnight in filter cleaner. Watch out for small O-ring on top as is easy to loose.

Floridadr12

3 years ago

Wouldn't recommend for in ground pool

Should have bought next size larger have to clean cartridge quite often.

In The Swim Knowledge Pool: Above Ground Pool Filters

Filters for Above Ground Pools

Above ground pool filters are the unsung hero of summertime fun in the sun for anyone with an above ground pool. The above ground filter, used on a daily basis, will trap bacteria and germs, and also pollen, dust, dirt and other contaminants that find their way into your swimming pool. Above ground pool filters use the same technology as in-ground pool filters, in a smaller package and an attractive price point.

ABOVE-GROUND POOL FILTER TYPES:

Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) filters remove very small particles of 2-4 microns. Inexpensive DE filter powder is added through the skimmer, to coat the DE filter grids or Perflex tubes. Every 3-6 weeks, the filter cake is reset with an easy-to-use bump handle, and once or twice per season, the tank is drained, flushed and refilled with fresh DE powder. Above ground pool DE filters include the popular line of Hayward Perflex filters.

Cartridge filters use a pleated polyester cartridge that traps particles down to 10-20 microns in size. Cartridge pool filters for above ground pools have a simple design with very few parts, and also have the lowest resistance level of all filter types. Cleaning is accomplished by removing the filter every 1-4 weeks and hosing clean. Above ground pool cartridge filters include the Hayward X-Stream and Easy-Clear and the Pentair Clean & Clear.

How Long Do Pool Filters Last?

Above ground pool filter tanks can last for decades, but the filter media and other internal parts will wear out sooner. DE filter grids or tubes last the longest, perhaps 10 years. Filter cartridges will usually last for 2-4 seasons and filter sand can last for 1-4 years, both depending on how large the filter is in relation to the pool, and also how well the water is maintained, or the condition of the water that the pool filter operates.

Sizing an Above Ground Pool Filter

A larger above ground pool filter has many advantages like longer time between cleanings, faster prevention and clean-up of poor water conditions, and longer lasting filter media. When buying filter systems for above ground pools, it is good practice to buy one or two sizes larger than indicated for your pool size, in gallons. Buy the largest above ground pool filter system you can afford - it's money well spent!

Installing an Above Ground Pool Filter

When buying a complete above ground pump and filter system, an installation kit is included which consists of a base, hoses, adapters and hardware. When joining together a separately purchased pump and filter, our above ground plumbing kit can be used, or find the connectors needed on our filter hoses and clamps page. After connecting the pool suction and return lines, flood the pump with water and plug into a grounded outlet to start the circulation.

Above Ground Filter Accessories

• DE filters will need to have a supply of DE Powder or Perliteon hand to replace after each backwashing.